One or more portable remote devices involved with sports that can control time or whistle equipment on or off the playing area

ABSTRACT

One or more remote control devices used at a sports event, by one or more officials, at that game, on activation can control, compatible game time pieces, without interference, that are located, on or off the playing field, with the option of initiating the sound of a whistle at activation location, or from compatible equipment, that are on or off the field, without any game time piece being altered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The title of the previous application was: A single remote device fromon the sports field that controls time and whistle equipment on or offthe field.

Application Ser. No. 10/139,538

Filed on: May 7, 2002

The difference being in this case, is that more than one remote can beinvolved with a game and control whistle and time pieces on or off thefield of play.

No exterior changes have been implemented on any related compatiblecomponents.

The internal electronic components in the housing of each remote hasbeen supplemented with a receiver in the electronic circuit to receivethe signal, from another remote, with the means that has already beenprovided, to produce a whistle sound at any location that a remote isbeing used.

The drawings are a repeat of the last application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATED-BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A DISK

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sports have rules and guidelines. To see that the sport is playedaccording to the laws, an official or officials are on the playing areaor sidelines, who interpret the rules as well as dispense decisions.

Electronics have assisted in making the task of officiating sportseasier and more accurate.

In many cases the whistle and game time are still performed, by usingair from the mouth to produce the whistle sound, with a hand action onthe game time piece. The game time piece in many sports is normallyactivated by an official, in conjunction with but after the whistlesound is heard. This does cause a delay in real time, in regards to thegame time being as accurate as it could be, whereby if a directrelationship between the whistle and game time piece where establishedthe accuracy factor would be more realistic, therefore havingelectronics incorporated, as this remote device is fitted with, haseliminated the time lost, between the whistle sound and game time beingcontrolled, with or without a whistle sound being heard.

The device of Fujita U.S. RE 29,720 dated August 1978 is a timecorrection apparatus. An official at a sports event can use this,although it is not a remote control. It does not have the option ofsounding a whistle, nor the ability of sending a coded transmission orto receive a coded signal to perform the function of starting orstopping a game time piece, nor to sound and control whistle relatedequipment.

The invention of Iwai et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,902 dated August 1978 isnot meant to be used at a sports event. The action of this switch is atouch sensitive activation means, without the ability on activation, tosound a whistle, at activation location or transmit a signal to otherequipment to sound a whistle, or start of stop a game time piece on oroff the field.

The invention of Yamamoto U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,652 dated December 1998does produce a whistle sound. The system uses two separate housingsconnected by a wire to complete the circuit, from activation to themechanism that produces the sound. This device does not have any timerelated influence in its activation. My device fits into one housing,with the ability to control a game timepiece with or without the soundof a whistle, from on the field, by transmitting a coded signal, toother on or off the field, time or whistle compatible equipment.

The invention of Peljac U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,013 dated May 2000 is usedby two sideline officials off the field of play, to obtain the attentionof the main official on the field of play and to obtain the attention ofother officials involved with the game. This device does not have theability to sound a whistle, nor is it capable of controlling on or offthe field game timepieces. This device when activated is normally wavedin the air above the shoulders, to increase the visibility of thedevice, to officials, players and spectators, while my device onceactivated at any hand elevation, is not flashed around for visibility.More than one official, with my device, who is involved with the sport,at any time, can activate the whistle or game time piece from on theplaying area or sidelines.

The invention of Poole U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,697 B1 dated April 2002 hasthe ability to control game related time pieces on or off the field, ina secure group. The mobile device has a single switch means to completethe circuit so that the signal to start or stop a related game timepiece can be executed. This device at activation location does not havethe ability to produce the sound of a whistle. The receiving equipmentalso does not have the means to produce a whistle sound at any location.My device at point of activation can produce a whistle sound as well asfrom any other remotes or compatible equipment, on or off the field ofplay.

The invention of Calace U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,711 B2 dated August 2003discloses a remote that is capable of controlling time keeping deviceson or of the field of play. This device on activation sends a signalthat controls one or more game time pieces. This device has beenconfigured to be worn as a glove, that requires a left or right hand, aswell as sizes, which are not mentioned, as well a wrist watch or a clipon device, which are both very impractical.

The invention of Schneider U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,236 filed on Dec. 4, 1999and issued on Jan. 30, 2001 uses air, with a conventional whistle, aswell as the wireless signal is generated by the air from the whistle. MyInvention does not use air.

The invention of Burke U.S. Publication 2004/0179432 filed on Feb. 18,2004 and published on Sep. 6, 2004 is a self-regulating universal masterclock that transmits the signal to other clocks to regulate the time. MyInvention sends the signal to a game time piece, which has to do with asports related event keeping track of the time still to play.

My device when activated a whistle sound can be produced at activationlocation electronically, this does not signify that a game time piece isbeing sent a coded signal to perform any function. My device does nothave a time piece in or on the remote. My device has two switches thateach performs two tasks. The whistle sound, with time piece activationswitch is slightly raised on my device, for ease of identification. Thetime piece activation switch with learn mode sequence is slightlyrecessed on my device, so that it should not be activated inadvertently.My device can be worn from a strap or be carried in the palm of eitherhand, with no left or right hand, or sizes required.

None of the devices mentioned has a safety feature incorporated into anyof the activation means. On pushing the whistle/time related switch, onmy device, resistance as the safety phase is encountered, allowing onlythe whistle sound related equipment to be activated on or off the field.The game time related equipment is sent a coded signal only when theactivation switch means is pushed through this safety phase in itsdownward movement so that no mistake should occur, to start or stop agame time piece. None of those devices mentioned, which can include oneor more remote controls for use at a sport event, for whistle or watchrelated equipment that are on or off the field, have considered thepossibility of a malfunction, a component being lost, or being taken toanother location, or one field being next to each other, so that theycan be set up to function once again within a group. None of thesedevices mentioned, elaborate on how they are going to be made compatibleto work within a group, should any one or more of the above situationsarise, although they might have many combinations of coded signals. Allof the above mentioned devices are susceptible to water damage that cancause them to malfunction, as none are waterproof.

My remote device or devices which can be located on or off the fieldaddress's all of these issues, so that a secure, all weather, easy tocarry and setup means, works within a compatible group, allowing morethan one field to be next to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a means with one or more hand held remote controldevices, involved with that game, from on or off the playing surface,which can be carried in either palm of the users hands, or carried froma strap, whereby on being activated, a whistle sound can be heard, withthe option of simultaneously transmitting a coded signal, that cancontrol on or off the field game timepieces or whistle related soundingequipment. This device also has the means to control a game time piecewith no whistle sound option, with the same activation means required,to form a secure compatible group. This feature will become moreunderstandable when the working details are described.

The components required to complete all aspects of this sports remotedevice, such as the two activation switches, the speaker, the chip toproduce a whistle sound, with various control boards, software,transmitters, receiver for sound activation, the power source and thestrap for carrying, are all housed in or on the casing.

The device when it is going to be activated by an official involved withthe game, from on the field of play or on the playing surface, he/shehas various options. The reason being that to start the game a whistleis sounded and the game clock is started. This official can alsoactivate the remote control to produce a whistle sound withouttransmitting a coded signal that involves the game time, as is mostoften the case at soccer or rugby. At basketball and American Football awhistle sound is an indication that a time piece is going to beinvolved. There are other sports that fall into the various categoriesthat have time restraints, involving a whistle and time piece.

The official or officials have the right to handle a scenario that hasoccurred concerning the game, with their own interpretation of the law,the way they have seen fit, in certain situations. The official orofficials can decide to sound the whistle at activation location, withor without sending a signal to a game timepiece to start or stop thegame. The same official having stopped the flow of the game, with awhistle only sound, or if there is more than one official at the game,then the head official generally is designated to restart the game withthe sound of a whistle, which this control does accommodate, notinvolving any game timepiece. Then an official or officials can alsodecide to sound a whistle and send a separate simultaneous coded signalto the components that activates the game time piece. At some sportsevents more than one remote device is used, therefore the requiredinternal electronic components have been included, allowing remotes,which are within that compatible group, to receive the coded signal andthen produce a whistle sound. The reason for the whistle sound option isthat it could be required at some events, thereby giving moreflexibility to the devices many varied sports applications.

The remote control has two switches for activation. The top switch isslightly raised for easy identification without having to look, justsense of feel. This same activation means has a safety featureincorporated, so that no signal to a game timepiece should be forwardedinadvertently.

The process of pushing this activation means causes some resistance,allowing first, only the circuit for the whistle sound, with whistlesound transmission, to become operational. The speaker will emit awhistle sound on the field of play at the remote control and a signal incode will have been forwarded to any equipment compatible to thistransmission, to repeat the sound of a whistle, even in a large stadiumfrom sound equipment, or another control or even from a clock, so allpresent are capable of hearing the sound.

On pushing this same top switch more firmly, it will pass through thesafety phase, causing the circuit to be completed for the transmissionof a coded signal to all, on or off the field related time pieces,causing the game time to start or stop, as desired by that official. Thereceiver in any compatible timepiece that has the correct electronicscan accept this coded signal, as it has learned the code of thattransmission, with the compatible mechanics imbedded in any gametimepiece on or off the field.

The lower of the two activation switches is slightly recessed in thehousing. The reason being that it should not be confused with the topactivation switch. This switch means shares the same transmissioncircuit relative to the top switch, for contacting only time relatedcompatible equipment with no whistle sound option involved.

This lower switch is integral and involved in creating compatibilitybetween other equipment that have the capabilities to perform thefunctions of sounding a whistle or of changing the game time, on or offthe field.

When an official or officials normally arrive at the field of playbefore the game starts, certain particular relevant things pertinent tothe game have be to be checked out, be it at a swimming event or hockeygame, such as the condition of the playing area, the lights, the nets,the corner flags, are all the lines or perimeters correctly marked, arethe goals or posts in order, are the game time related watches on or offthe field set correctly as well as making sure that his/her whistleworks, be it air or electronic. This being the case, the equipment inthis group has to be checked out to establish that all, on or off thefield whistles or game timepieces are compatible and working in unison,as well as should there be more than one remote device involved withthat event, it has also to be set up.

This is achieved by with one remote control, that the one or mainofficial is going to use, who subsequently pushes down on the lower ofthe two activation switches through the safety phase, to close thecircuit of the learn mode sequence, for at least 3 seconds, as well asthe learn mode switch has to be pushed in simultaneously on any otherremote device, timepiece or whistle equipment, on or off that field,with that technology and held down for at least 3 seconds to allow forcompatibility, so they can work within a secure group. This will allowany watches, small or large visible time pieces to be brought in line,including any whistle sound apparatus on or off the field to beconfigured, to accept this signal in code. This can be done one at atime or collectively, as this causes the software to recognize the codedsignal that is going to be transmitted and received, from one or moreinvolved field remote controls.

The reason for this feature being very important is that, should anycompatible component malfunction, a new replacement can be configured towork within that group, also allowing more that one field to bealongside another, as it gives each group it's own coded compatiblesignal. Another very important facture for this feature is that thisremote, or a complete other remote or remotes, can be taken to anotherlocation, or a different part of, off the field component of thisequipment, can be moved and then be configured to work within anothersecure group to sound a whistle or control a game time piece.

These details with the features of this invention will become moreapparent upon review of the description of the various adaptations andassociated drawings that are appended hereto, It is from these materialsas a whole that the scope of protection sought by the invention may begleamed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawing FIG. 1 is an outside side view of the remote housing controlshowing the placing of the external components.

Drawing FIG. 2 is an outside top view of a game wrist watch.

Drawing FIG. 3 is a cut away view of the inside of the housing of oneremote device showing the placement of all the relevant internal andexternal components.

Drawing FIG. 4 is a front view of the watch or clock without the faceshowing the learn switch and internal components.

Drawing FIG. 5 is a side cut away view of the top switch, showing itslightly elevated above the housing, with the wire connections below thewaterproof cylinder sleeve.

Drawing FIG. 6 is a side cut away view of the lower switch, showing itslightly recessed on the housing, with the wire connections below thewaterproof cylinder sleeve.

Drawing FIG. 7 is a side cut away view of the two activation switchmeans.

NUMERALS OF THE EMBODIMENT

-   -   1) housing    -   2) speaker    -   3) raised activation switch    -   4) recessed activation switch    -   5) strap    -   6)    -   7) electric watch    -   8) compatible receiver    -   9) power source    -   10) whistle sound chip    -   11) transmitter control board    -   12) connections    -   13) learn switch on receiver    -   14) sound control board    -   15A) cylinder sleeve for the top switch    -   15B) cylinder sleeve for bottom switch    -   15C) bottom of cylinder for top switch    -   15D) bottom of cylinder for bottom switch    -   16) antenna on time transmitter    -   17) sound contact points    -   18) learn mode software    -   19) sound transmitter antenna    -   20) whistle circuit connection    -   21) contact points connecting the raised switch    -   22) contact points connecting the recessed switch    -   23) resistance spring below raised switch    -   24) spring on recessed switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention concerns one or more portable remote devices used at asports event by one of more officials who are involved with the game,who control and interpret the rules. The actual remote control device iscarried in the hand or worn from a strap, with the ability on activationto sound a whistle, at that activation location, or just transmit incode to other compatible related equipment, to either emit the sound ofa whistle, with or without controlling on or off the field compatibletime pieces, or the option to start or stop game related time pieces,that are on or off the field, with no whistle sound being heard.

Referring to FIG. 1. clearly shows all of the components that areincorporated on the outside of the cylindrical housing (1) such as thetwo activation switches (3) and (4) that are required to activate theintegral mechanism, which fits into the palm of either hand or can becarried from a strap (5) or worn around the neck, while at the other endof the housing (1) is the speaker (2) to emit the whistle sound.

Referring to FIG. 2. a wrist stop watch (7) is used for the purpose ofillustrating a crucial component allowing this and other time pieces orwhistle sound related equipment to become compatible and work within agroup. The learn switch (13) is shown on the game stop watch time piece,that is worn by one or more officials involved with that game.

In the case a large off field game clock is used, as long as it has beenfitted with the same components it can be controlled to start or stop,when the signal is received, with whistle features if required.

Referring to FIG. 3. clearly shows the working components of this remotedevice, with the speaker (2) at one end, with the carrying strap (5) atthe other end. The power source (9) is connected (12) to all aspects ofthe internal electronic components. The sound control board (14) thatassists the whistle sound to be emitted at activation from the speaker(2) carries the whistle chip (10) with the antenna (19) to transmit thecoded signal to other compatible whistle related equipment on or off thefield. This is activated when the top switch (3) which is slightlyraised, for ease of identification, on the housing (1) is presseddownward and encounters resistance, allowing the safety phase feature tocome into effect, so that only the connection for the whistle with soundand transmission, is heard and transmitted, from the sound control board(14) so that no inadvertent coded signal should be forwarded to any onor off the field game timepieces, by completing the circuit to transmita coded signal to related timepieces. In the case that some sports havemore than one official this has been taken into consideration, as otherremotes have electronics (12) included so that a whistle sound isemitted from all of the remotes involved with that game.

This same top switch (3) when pushed beyond this safety phase, allowsthe circuit from the sound control board (14) to the transmitter controlboard (11) to be completed, then via the antenna, on the timetransmitter (16) the transmission of a coded signal, to compatiblereceivers to start or stop a game time piece on or off the field issent.

The slightly recessed lower switch (4) is located just below the housing(1) surface so that it should not be mistaken for the top switch (3).When this lower switch (4) is activated, resistance is encountered,allowing initially only the circuit to transmit a coded signal to on oroff the field related game time pieces, with no whistle sound option, tobe send the coded signal. The same transmitter control board (11) thatthe top switch (3) utilizes is brought into the loop, to perform thefunction of alerting all related time equipment to stop or start.

This recessed activation switch (4) performs another very importantfunction in this whole setup.

This activation switch (4) to perform the other task has to pushedthrough the safety phase so that the learn mode sequence can be engaged.This learn mode software (18) on the transmitter control board (11) isthe means of forming a secure group. This is achieved by the switch (4)closing the circuit for at least 3 seconds or more, while the learn modesoftware switch in those other components also has to be held down forat least 3 seconds, whereby whistle and time piece related equipment canbe engaged to perform there task from on or off the field of play, tobecome a secure group. The components do not, all have to be matched upat the same time, as they can be set up individually.

Referring to FIG. 4. the face of the stop watch (7) on the field of playhas been removed so that the internal related components are visible.The same internal electronics can be found, in on the field small orlarge off the field watch related equipment, that can accept the codedsignal to perform the task of starting or stopping, for others to seethe game time. These game related time pieces might also be equippedwith the components that allows them to sound a whistle at theirlocation or locations.

The main official, before the start of the game, as a matter of routinehas all of the watches or clocks, that are on or off the field set tothe same allowed playing time, for that game. To achieve this and tomake all of the equipment that is going to be used compatible, thislower activation switch (4) is pushed downwards through the safety phaseand held down for at least 3 seconds on the remote device housing (1)causing activating of the learn mode software (18), in the housing (1),while that person or others at the same time are pushing the learn modebutton (13) on any other remote, time piece or whistle related equipmentfor at least 3 seconds to allow the receiver (8) in that piece ofequipment, with that software to accept the coded signal, thatestablishes compatibility, thereby being able to work within that securegroup to accept the coded signal. This method is applied, should anotherpiece of equipment be required to be made compatible at that or anyother location.

Referring to FIG. 5. shows the activation switch (3) slightly raised onthe housing (1) for ease of identification, with the spring (23)attached underneath. When this activation switch (3) is pushed downward,the resistance feature is encountered that has been incorporated by aspring (23), causing the sound contact points (17) to be engaged first,inside the cylindrical sleeve (15A), thereby allowing the whistle soundcircuit connection (20) to be completed to the sound control board (14)thereby allowing the whistle sound to be heard at activation location,while sending a coded signal to whistle related equipment on or off thefield, whereby a whistle sound is emitted from the various compatiblewhistle sound equipment.

When the resistance phase of the spring (23) is overcome by pushing theactivation switch (3) more firmly downward in the cylindrical sleeve(15A), thereby closing the contact points (21) connecting the raisedswitch (3) to the transmitter control board (11) the circuit has nowbeen completed and a coded signal is transmitted to watch compatiblerelated equipment, which is on or off the field, to start or stop a timepiece, whereby the whistle sound has been emitted fractionally earlier,yet having nothing what so ever, to do with the actual mechanism forcontrolling any game time piece.

The cylindrical sleeve (15A) is open at the top to accommodate the topactivation switch (3) allowing it to move inside the sleeve, with thebottom seal (15C) which protrudes into the housing (1) making itwaterproof.

Referring to FIG. 6. shows the bottom activation switch (4) slightlyrecessed in the cylindrical sleeve (15B), so that it should not beconfused with the whistle/time activation switch (3) on the housing (1).The top of the cylindrical sleeve (15B) is open, to allow the bottomactivation switch (4) to move freely downward until resistance isencountered in this sleeve (15B) that is sealed at the bottom of thecylinder (15D), which protrudes into the housing (1), making the sleeve(15B) waterproof. The spring (24) causes resistance, allowing initiallyonly the connection (22) to be completed, so that a coded signal can betransmitted, to compatible time equipment, with no sound equipment beinginvolved. When the resistance of the safety phase is overcome, bypushing this switch (4) more firmly downwards and then being held downin that position for at least 3 seconds, the means, to synchronize withother related equipment in this group to be become compatible, isachieved.

Referring to FIG. 7. this view shows the location of the activationswitches (3) and (4) more clearly on the housing (1) just below thespeaker (2) with each having a very different profile on the housing(1).

Accordingly, the main objective of this invention is a simple means toinstantly transmit a coded signal from one or more remote devices,involved with that sport or game, to compatible receivers on or off thefield, to initiate a whistle sound at activation location on or off thefield, with the option to either start or stop a clock or watch,virtually simultaneously, with or without a whistle sound being heard.This will increase the accuracy of time keeping at sports events, alsosimplify the officials task of keeping the game time, with the option ofhaving a whistle sound or other time keeping equipment, on or off thefield, for players, other officials, participants and spectators, tohear the whistle or see the game time.

The remote device is waterproof. This one or other remote devices orrelated compatible equipment that are fitted with the electronic means,can be moved to other locations, should even a battery fail, or acomponent malfunction, a new group can then very simply be configured towork once again as a secure unit, that can even be passed from oneofficial to another very easily, while also allowing fields to be nextto each other with no interference. These and other features of theinvention will become more apparent upon review of the variousadaptations and associated drawings that are appended hereto. It is fromthese materials as a whole that the scope of protection sought by theinventor may be gleamed.

1. One or more Remote Control Devices that are used at a sports event byone of more officials to control whistle or game time pieces, on or offthe playing area for that game comprising: A) a portable cylindricalhousing; B) the housing capable of being carried from a strap at thelower end; C) activation switches for the internal components beinglocated on the outside of the housing; D) a transmitter for whistlerelated wireless transmissions located inside the housing; E) atransmitter for time keeping related wireless transmissions locatedinside the housing; F) a whistle sound electronic reproduction componentinside the housing; G) a whistle speaker situated on the outside of thehousing at the top; and H) a receiver inside each remote so that it canaccept an incoming coded signal to activate the whistle relatedcomponents from another compatible remote device.
 2. The remote deviceof claim 1 further comprising: a first button raised relative to thecylindrical housing, and a second button recessed relative to thecylindrical housing.
 3. The remote device of claim 2, wherein both thefirst and second button comprise two switches each; each button isbiased by a spring such that partial application of force activates onlya first switch and application of additional force activates the secondswitch.
 4. The remote device of claim 3, wherein upon partialapplication of a force to the first button a first switch is operatedand a whistle operation to be performed; the whistle operation comprisesoutputting of a whistle sound and transmission of a whistle signal; thewhistle signal causes compatible equipment to output whistle sounds;upon application of additional force to the first button, a secondswitch of the first button is operated and a timing signal istransmitted, the timing signal causes compatible equipment to perform astart or stop timing operation of the official game time.
 5. The remotedevice of claim 3, wherein upon partial application of a force to thesecond button a third switch is operated, an internal timing operationis performed, and a timing signal is transmitted, the timing signalcauses compatible equipment to start or stop a timing operation; uponapplication of additional force to the second button, a fourth switch isoperated, a learn function is initiated to allow synchronization ofmultiple devices.